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Sociology & Anthropology

The program in sociology seeks to offer to the sociology major the knowledge and skills necessary for pursuing graduate studies and for careers in the professions such as law, medicine, business, teaching, research, government, planning and human services.

Sociology studies how human beings live in groups and in societies, and how they judge the meaning of their social lives. Sometimes sociologists begin with the individual and observe how the commitments of social factors bind them together in social relationships and result in the production of beliefs, values, and behaviors. At other times sociologists begin with cultural traditions, societies, and even entire civilizations and study the different cultural designs, the social organizations, and the modes of consciousness according to which people both in conflict and in cooperation order their shared lives.

Sociology fosters reflective self -understanding in students through the appreciation of their own and others' underlying commitments. It also cultivates the ability of human beings to act adequately in the various social worlds in which they live.

Majors in sociology will find it helpful to become closely acquainted with at least one other discipline in the humanities or the social sciences, such as history, English, economics, religion, or psychology. Joint majors and interdisciplinary studies are encouraged by the faculty in sociology.

The sociology department's purpose is to: 1. Prepare majors for graduate or professional school. 2. Train students to conduct social research. 3. Develop in students an awareness of the nexus between sociology and international and cross-national issues. 4. Expose students to major sociological theorists (including those who have historically been excluded because of race, gender, sexual preference, etc.) 5. Promote sociological thinking and train students to apply sociological concepts to real-world solutions.

Learning OutcomesUpon completion of the sociology major, the student will: 1. Demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts relevant to social theory, research methods and the major substantive areas of sociology. 2. Design and conduct an empirical study and demonstrate proficiency in data analysis. 3. Identify the major theorists in sociology and demonstrate knowledge of their major contributions to the discipline of sociology. 4. Recognize diversity as an explanatory variable within and across societies. 5. Apply specific sociological concepts, theories, and principles to real-world situations

Requirements for the undergraduate major in sociology, in addition to the University degree requirements specified within this Bulletin, are:

Course in sociology (minimum of 32 cr.)

Course Number

Course Name

SOC 100

Introduction to Sociology

SOC 374

Social Theory

SOC 499

Senior Seminar

Twenty (20) hours of electives in sociology are chosen in consultation with and with the approval of a departmental advisor.

Required cognates (4 cr.)

Course Number

Course Name

SSCI 280

Methods and Statistics for Social Research

Normally taken in the sophomore year, with a prerequisite of Core Mathematics, College Algebra or a higher level mathematics course.

Joint majors, combining sociology with another concentration, are encouraged by the Department of Sociology and may be arranged according to the usual University regulations. The student who chooses to pursue a joint major in sociology and another discipline must complete the required courses in sociology (SOC 100, SOC 374, and SOC 499), and at least three additional courses in sociology, and the required cognate course in social science (SSCI 280).

The joint major requires a minimum of 24 credits in sociology and the approved number of credits in the other major. The joint major will have an advisor from the faculty in sociology as well as from the other major.

Group C (Choose one of the following)

Group D (Choose CORE 240 or any two science disciplines from the list below)

CORE 240 Natural Science BIOL 101, 101L General Biology and General Biology LabCHEM 118, 108L General Chemistry and Experiments in General Chemistry PHYS 180, 180L University Physics and University Physics Lab

Group E (Choose one of the following)

ECON 230 Principles of Microeconomics ECON 240 Principles of Macroeconomics HIS 160 United Stated History PSCI 122 American Political Systems PSY General Psychology SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology

Fisk University, in its educational programs and activities involving students and employees, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or age. Furthermore, the university does not discriminate against veterans or individuals with disabilities.